Want to create a website without spending a dime? Our 2025 guide reviews the best free website builders like Wix, Weebly, and WordPress.com. We compare features, limitations, and upgrade paths to help you choose the perfect platform for your needs. Launch your free site today!

The 10 Best Free Website Builders in 2025 (Honest Review)

Launching a website doesn't have to cost a thing. In 2025, free website builders are more powerful than ever, offering stunning templates, drag-and-drop editors, and enough features to get a professional-looking site online. But with so many options, how do you choose? We've hands-on tested the most popular platforms to bring you a definitive list of the best free website builders, detailing what you really get for $0, the hidden limitations, and when it's time to upgrade.

What to Expect with a Free Plan: The Fine Print

Before diving in, it's crucial to understand the common trade-offs:

• Branded Subdomain: Your URL will look like yourname.wixsite.com/site or yourname.wordpress.com.
• Builder Branding: Most platforms will display their own ads on your site.
• Limited Storage & Bandwidth: Enough for a small site, but not for heavy media or high traffic.
• Basic Features: Advanced e-commerce, SEO, and design features are typically locked behind paid plans.

Our Top Picks for Best Free Website Builders in 2025

1. Wix

• Best For: Absolute beginners and design freedom.
• Free Plan Highlights: Access to 900+ templates, powerful drag-and-drop editor, 500MB storage, and 500MB bandwidth.
• The Catch: A wixsite.com subdomain and Wix ads displayed on your site.
• Upgrade Path: Paid plans remove ads, give you a custom domain, and unlock more storage and features like e-commerce.

2. Weebly

• Best For: Small businesses and simple e-commerce.
• Free Plan Highlights: Intuitive drag-and-drop editor, SEO tools, and basic e-commerce features (sell a limited number of items).
• The Catch: Square (Weebly's parent company) branding and a weebly.com subdomain.
• Upgrade Path: Plans are affordable and focus on expanding e-commerce capabilities.

3. WordPress.com

• Best For: Bloggers and writers seeking powerful content management.
• Free Plan Highlights: Access to the robust WordPress platform, free themes, and a wordpress.com subdomain.
• The Catch: Limited design customization, no plugins, and WordPress.com ads.
• Upgrade Path: Paid plans are essential for removing limits, adding plugins, and gaining full design control (this is the jump to the self-hosted WordPress.org experience).

4. Strikingly

• Best For: Building simple, one-page websites quickly.
• Free Plan Highlights: Very easy to use, ideal for "coming soon" pages or simple portfolios. One free site with 5GB bandwidth.
• The Catch: Limited to a single page on the free plan and a strikingly.site subdomain.
• Upgrade Path: Unlocks multi-page sites, e-commerce, and custom domains.

5. Webflow

• Best For: Designers and those who want professional-level control without coding.
• Free Plan Highlights: Unparalleled design control, modern templates, and a webflow.io subdomain. Perfect for creating a stunning portfolio.
• The Catch: Steeper learning curve. The free plan is for staging only, meaning you can design but can't connect a custom domain without upgrading.
• Upgrade Path: Paid "Site" plans for going live, and "Workspace" plans for collaboration.

How to Choose the Right Free Website Builder

Ask yourself these questions:

1. What is my primary goal? (Blog, Portfolio, Business, Online Store)
2. How much design control do I need? (Pre-made templates vs. pixel-perfect design)
3. Will I sell products? If yes, Weebly's free plan is a standout.
4. Am I planning to grow? Check the upgrade path and pricing to ensure it fits your future budget.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Are there any completely free website builders with no hidden costs?
A: Yes, the builders listed here offer genuinely free plans. However, "free" always comes with limitations like a subdomain and the builder's branding. To look fully professional, you will eventually need to pay for a custom domain and remove ads.

Q: Can I use a free website builder for a small business?
A: Yes, for a very small business or as a starting point. A free plan is excellent for establishing an online presence. However, the lack of a custom domain and the presence of builder ads can make your business look less credible. Upgrading to a paid plan is a recommended early investment.

Q: What is the biggest drawback of a free website?
A: The lack of a custom domain (yourbusiness.com) is the most significant drawback for professionalism and branding. Additionally, you do not "own" your site in the same way you would with a self-hosted solution, making it harder to migrate your content later.

Final Recommendation & Next Steps

• For Total Beginners: Start with Wix for its ease of use.
• For Bloggers: Choose WordPress.com for its powerful writing tools.
• For Selling a Few Products: Weebly is your best free option.
• For Design Quality: Learn Webflow for a portfolio that stands out.

Ready to build? Pick a builder from our list and click through to its website. The sign-up process is simple, and you can have a basic site live in under an hour. Remember, a free website builder is the perfect launchpad to get your idea online without risk.